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Bendigo Transport Overhaul: Freeway Works, Signal Upgrades Impact Commuters
Scheduled freeway works, signal upgrades and rail adjustments require forward planning from drivers and passengers.
How we reported this
A section of the Calder Freeway between Malmsbury and Harcourt will close to all traffic from 6am to 10pm on Tuesday, 18 February 2025 due to filming, requiring a 30-minute detour via the Calder Highway.
Why These Changes Matter Now
The West Gate Tunnel is scheduled to open in late 2025, providing Bendigo drivers with improved CityLink connections and an alternative route to Melbourne. At the same time, several local road and rail adjustments are due to take effect, meaning residents who travel regularly between Bendigo and Melbourne or within the region will face a mix of temporary restrictions and longer-term service changes. Planning around these dates helps avoid unnecessary delays on both short and longer trips.
Local Infrastructure Details
Pedestrian Operated Signals with new traffic lights are planned at the Chapel Street and Hargreaves Street intersection in Bendigo CBD. Works are expected to start in June 2025 and complete by mid-2025. These works sit alongside the broader pattern of transport projects affecting daily movement through the central area and on key arterial routes out of the city.
Evidence from Current Services
V/Line services between Bendigo and Melbourne run as normal, but all train and coach services to Echuca and Swan Hill remain suspended due to flood impacts. Separately, Bendigo Metro will provide 10 extra weekday services to Epsom Station and an extra evening service to Eaglehawk as part of a new long-term public transport strategy. These service levels form the baseline against which further decisions on frequency and routing will be measured.
What Happens Next
Drivers and passengers should check official transport updates in the months ahead to confirm exact timings for the Calder Freeway closure, the West Gate Tunnel opening and the Chapel Street and Hargreaves Street signal works. Allowing extra travel time on affected routes and reviewing timetable changes for services to Epsom Station and Eaglehawk will help maintain reliable journeys while these projects move forward.